Airbus appoints new vice president for the Pacific

Iain Grant.

Airbus has appointed Iain Grant to replace Isabelle Floret as vice president for the Pacific.

Floret has spent nine years leading the commercial team in Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands and Hong Kong but has been appointed head of leasing markets for the Tolouse-based aircraft maker.

In 2014, lessors financed about 50 per cent of Airbus deliveries.

During her time in Australia, Floret worked with her team on several successful strategic campaigns including selling the A321neo and the world's first Sharklet-equipped A320s to Air New Zealand, the A320neo to Qantas, the A330 to Fiji Airways and the A350 XWB to Cathay Pacific.

Floret was this year awarded the Legion d' Honneur, France's highest distinction for outstanding civil service.

Grant has been the regional director for Airbus at the International Airlines Group (IAG), and his sales team succeeded in placing the A350 XWB at both British Airways and Iberia.

He was also closely involved in placing further A330s at Iberia and the A320neo at British Airways.

In his new role as vice president he will keep his IAG responsibilities.